Sphygmomanometer and gauge therefor

ABSTRACT

A sphygmomanometer is self-donning by the user and may be conveniently operated by the user for taking his blood pressure. In lieu of the typical sphygmomanometer arm band, a sleeve is slipped on to the arm of the user. In order to firmly retain the sleeve in operative position, a strap securely tightens the sleeve about the arm, and suitable fastening means such as a Velcro fastener retains the strap in operative position. A typical stethoscope has a microphone secured to the sleeve proximate the sphygmomanometer bladder so that the heart beat sound may be noted without use of the hands for holding the stethoscope. A bulb inflater and pressure gauge are connected with the bladder and are adapted to be held in each hand of the user. The gauge is responsive to manual actuation by the user to record the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

[451 Aug. 26, 1975 1 SPHYGMOMANOMETER AND GAUGE THEREFOR [76] Inventor:Thomas W. Clark, 611 Westwinds Dr., Palm Harbor, Fla. 33563 [22] Filed:Jan. 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 436,096

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.331,289, Feb. 9,

1973, abandoned.

[52] 11.8. C1. l28/2.05 G; 73/396; 116/129 B; 116/129 D; 116/129 N;128/2.05 C [51] Int. Cl A6lb 5/02 [58] Field of Search..... 128/205 A,2.05 C, 2.05 G, 128/205 M, 2.05 R, 327; 73/396; 116/129 A, 129 B, 129 D,129 N, 129 T 3,315,662 4/1967 Buffington 128/205 G 3,633,567 1/1972Sarnoff 128/205 C 3,757,772 9/1973 Goldblat et a1. 128/205 G PrimaryExaminer-Wi1liam E. Kamm Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stein & Orman 5 7ABSTRACT A sphygmomanometer is self-donning by the user and may beconveniently operated by the user for taking his blood pressure. In lieuof the typical sphygmomanometer arm band, a sleeve is slipped on to thearm of the user. In order to firmly retain the sleeve in operativeposition, a strap securely tightens the sleeve about the arm, andsuitable fastening means such as a Velcro fastener retains the strap inoperative position. A typical stethoscope has a microphone secured tothe sleeve proximate the sphygmomanometer bladder so that the heart beatsound may be noted without use of the hands for holding the stethoscope.A bulb inflater and pressure gauge are connected with the bladder andare adapted to be held in each hand of the user. The gauge is responsiveto manual actuation by the user to record the systolic and diastolicblood pressures.

17 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures SIHYGMOMANOMETER AND GAUGE THEREFOR Thisis a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 331,289filed Feb. 9, 1973, now abandoned.

This invention relates to sphygmomanometers and, more particularly, tosphygmomanometers adapted to be self-donned by the user and easilyoperated by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use ofa sphygmomanometer in taking onesown blood pressure generally requires the aid of another person,particularly in securing the typical sphygmomanometer band about thearm. Additionally, it is often difficult for an individual taking hisown blood pressure accurately to read and note the systolic anddiastolic blood pressures as he regulates the typical pressure reliefvalve.

Various patents disclose attempts at solving these problems, for examplea Self-Donning Sphygmomanometer Cuff or band is shown in recent U.S.Pat. No. 3,669,096 in which the band is initially secured about the armby means of snap fasteners and is then tightened about the arm by meansof a Velcro fastener. The snap fasteners are an aid in self-donning ofthe band, but considerable dexterity is required by the user since onlyone hand is available to hold the band in place while simultaneouslyinitially fastening it preparatory to tightening the band by means ofthe Velcro fastener. A Self-Applicable Sphygmomanometer is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 2,869,536. Fasteners are again provided for initially securingthe cuff or band in position and a stethoscope is provided as part ofthe unit.

An electrically operated Sphygmomanometer Apparatus is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,086,513. ltis automatic in operation upon throwing attached aswitch or inserting a coin. However, the unit lacks normal portabilityand is complicated and expensive in construction. A Blood PressureTesting Machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,149,690 and is of astationary coin-operated type with provision for recording the systolicand diastolic blood pressures. The apparatus is not portable in thenormal sense and is, of course, expensive in construction.

Another unit for measuring blood pressure is shown in U.S. pat. No.3,621,831, the primary feature being a particular stethoscope pick-upformed as part of a sphygmomanometer bladder, but no self-donningfeatures are evident. Still another sphygmomanometer is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,621,845 in which the band is provided with a Velcro fastenerfor securing the band in operative position. This unit also has abuilt-in stethoscope and a composite pressure bulb valve and pressuregauge.

A Pneumatically Actuated Pressure Dressing is shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,633,567. Here, a band is passed about an anchor and returned uponitself, being secured about the body by Velcro fasteners. However, thewidth of the free end portion of the band may cause difficulty inaligning the free end portion during fastenmg.

Still another sphygmomanometer has a completely elastic sleeve whichsimply contracts against the arm and is provided with the usual bulb andpressure gauge connections in addition to a built-in stethoscopemicrophone.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and usefulsphygmomanometer. A related object is provision therein for a convenientself-donning and self use of the sphygmomanometer. Another relatedobject is provision of the sphygmomanometer in the form of a sleeve withprovision for securely fastening the sleeve in operative position.Another related object is provision therein of a recording pressuregauge so that the systolic and diastolic blood pressures may be recordedby the user, thus eliminating the necessity of carefully watching thegauge while taking ones blood pressure, a feature of particulardesirability in a sphygmomanometer for normal operation solely the theuser.

Another object is provision of a new and useful sphygmomanometerincluding a pressure gauge which records the systolic and diastolicblood pressures. A related object is provision of such a recordingpressure gauge in a self-donning sphygmomanometer for operation solelyby the user.

Still another object is provision of a new and useful recording pressuregauge and, more particularly, such a gauge adapted to record bothsystolic and diastolic blood pressures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is, in brief, directed to asphygmomanometer unit which is conveniently self-donning by the user andpermits convenient self-operation by the user. A flexible sleeveincludes a suitable sphygmomanometer bladder and connected therewith avalved pressure bulb and a pressure gauge, as well as a stethoscopehaving a microphone pick-up on the sleeve, preferably proximate thebladder. The sleeve may have a resilient section separate from thebladder to permit expansion of the sleeve as it is inserted onto theusers arm and for contraction of the sleeve to temporarily hold it aboutthe arm. Additionally, provision is made for firmly securing the sleevein operative position about the arm by means of a double-purchase cinchstrap which may be conveniently gripped by one hand to permit tighteningof the sleeve about the arm, and subsequently holding the sleeve inoperative position by means of a pressure responsive fastener, such as aVelcro fastener. The pressure gauge has provision for recording thesystolic and diastolic blood pressures upon detection through thestethoscope of the first heart beat and stopping of the heart beat,respectively. These and other objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanydrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a person with the sphygmomanometer unit of this inventionwhile the person is taking his own blood pressure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the sleeve of thesphygmomanometer unit removed from the users are, with the fasteningstrap of the unit foreshortened for more convenient illustration.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the unit shown in FIG. 2, lookinggenerally in the direction of line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken generally alone line 4-4 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the unit similar to that shown in FIG. 3, butwith the unit operatively positioned on the arm of the user.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the unit operativelypositioned on a larger arm.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pressure gauge shown in FIG. 1, the gaugehaving provision for recording the systolic and diastolic bloodpressures and shown in recording position with the transparent coverremoved for clearer illustration.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the gauge, with partsbroken away and removed, and illustrates a changed position of certainparts over that shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 8, butshowing still another operational position of the gauge.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the cam portion of theapparatus, looking generally in the direction of line 10-10 in FIG. 8,but with portions of the apparatus in still another position, and withparts removed for clearer illustration.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 11-11 of FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewtaken generally along line 1212 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 13--13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view (similar to FIGS. 8 and 9) of anotherembodiment of the pressure gauge with parts broken away and removed forclearer illustration.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 1515of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of another embodiment of the pressure gauge shownin FIG. 1, with the transparent cover and the dial removed for clearerillustration, showing the stop means of this embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary side view (similar to FIGS. 8 and 9)of another embodiment of the pressure gauge, with parts broken away forclearer illustration.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 17, butshowing another operational position of the gauge.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, thesphygmomanometer unit 20 is shown in operative position and in use by aperson taking his own blood pressure. The sphygmomanometer unit 20includes a sleeve 22 in lieu of the usual sphygmomanometer band or cuff.This sleeve is firmly held in operative position by a releasable strap24. A suitable sphygmomanometer bladder 26 (FIGS. 3-6) is part of thesleeve 20 and a suitable air pressure bulb 28 and a valve 30 areattached to the bladder by a flexible conduit 32. A recording .pressuregauge 34 (FIGS. 7-13) is attached to the bladder 26 by another flexibleconduit 36. A stethoscope 38 has a pair of opposed earpieces 40 (onlyone visible in FIG. 1) and a sound pick-up in the form of a microphone42 secured to the sleeve 22 proximate the bladder 26 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6).

Referring generally to FIGS. 2-5, the sphygmomanometer unit 20 is shownin detail in these figures. The sphygmomanometer sleeve 22 includes thepreviously noted sphygmomanometer bladder 26 which is formed by an outerside wall 44 (FIG. 4) of the sleeve and an inner side wall 46, havingedge portions joined to each other in any suitable manner as by fused orheat sealed seams 48. The walls 44 and 46 may be of any suitablematerial such as vinyl, and the outer wall is reinforced in any suitablemanner, as by cloth bonded to the vinyl, to retard distension as thebladder is inflated. A section of the sleeve may be resilient and may beformed of any suitable elastic material 50, such as a woven elasticcloth which is attached by fused or heat-sealed seams 52 to oppositeends of the bladder, as may best be seen in FIG. 4.

Suitable connectors 54 for the bulb and valve conduit 32 and thepressure gauge conduit 36 are provided in the outer wall 44 forcommunication with the interior of the bladder 26. The sound pick-up,here in the form of the stethoscope microphone 42 is connected throughthe bladder, that is, through the outer side wall 44 and inner side wall46 in position to be placed over the Brachial artery of the users arm,in typical manner. Thus, in positioning the sleeve 22 on the upper arm,the elastic section 50 stretches for easier insertion and when thesleeve is in substantially operative position on the arm the contractedelastic temporarily holds the sleeve in place.

In order to prevent subsequent expansion of the sleeve 20 as thepressure is applied within the bladder 26, a retaining tie in the formof the double-purchase cinch strap 24 is tightened. The strap 24 ispreferably reinforced vinyl similar to the outer wall 46 and is suitablysecured to the outer wall of the sleeve, by fused seams 56, as may bestbe seen in FIG. 3. During use of the sphygmomanometer unit, a free endportion 57 of the strap 26 is first inserted through anchor 58 in theform of a rod 60, suitably secured to the outer wall 44 of the sleeve 20as by a retaining member 62 (FIG. 2), illustrated in the form ofreinforced vinyl doubled upon itself. Opposite ends of the rod 60 areheld in tubes 64 of the retaining member 62, the tubes 64 beingseparated by a cutaway portion 66 of member 62 to receive the strap 24.The retaining member 62 has fused or heat sealed seams 68 securing it tothe outer wall 44 of the sleeve 20, and seams 70 along the rod 60 tosecure the rod in place. Prior to placing the sleeve 20 on the arm,strap 24 is passed about the anchor rod 60, as may best be seen in FIGS.5 and 6, so that after the sleeve 20 has been placed on the arm, thefree end portion 57 of the strap 24 may be grasped by the right hand(assuming the sleeve 20 is on the left arm) and the strap 24 is pulledacross the anchor rod to tighten the sleeve 20 about the arm, whereuponthe strap is suitably fastened to retain the sleeve 20 in a firmoperative position. To effectively prevent outward expansion of thesleeve as the bladder 26 is filled with pressurized air, the fasteningmeans for the strap 24 is preferably pressure responsive to facilitateone hand fastening of the strap, as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, aVelcro fastener assembly 72 is provided, one strip 74 of Velcro beingelongated to receive (FIGS. 5 and 6) one or more short strips of Velcro,thus providing infinite adjustability of the strap within the adjustingrange of the sleeve. FIG. 5 illustrates the sleeve operatively in placeon a relatively small arm, and FIG. 6 shows the sleeve on a larger arm.In addition to providing infinite adjustment, the fastener assemblyfurther facilitates easy release of the strap by simply lifting the freeend portion 57 of strap 24 to release the Velcro fastener.

When taking ones blood pressure with the previously describedsphygmomanometer unit, the right hand may operate the pressure bulb 28and pressure release valve 30 while the left hand operates the pressuregauge 34. It is generally inconvenient to write blood the systolic anddiastolic bolld pressures while operating the equipment. In order toaccurately record these pressures, the sphygmomanometer unit ispreferably provided with a recording or indicating means in the form ofpressure gauge 34, which may be manually operated by the user toindicate and/or record these pressures for subsequent notation.

The gauge 34 is shown in FIGS. 7-13. It has a suitable body 80 with atransparent cover 82 over a typical sphygmomanometer dial 84, suitablyclaibrated as from 20 to 300 millimeters of mercury, and indicator meansincluding a pressure indicator in the form of a pivoted hand 86 on apivot shaft 88 (FIG. 8), and is shown in the zero pressure position inFIG. 7. The indicator means further comprises a pair of recordingindicators, also-in the form of hands 90 and 92 on a pivot shaft 94secured to the cover 82 and pivoted about the same axis as the pressurehand 86 is pivoted. A first of these recording hands is the systolicblood pressure recording hand 90 and is slightly longer than thediastolic blood pressure recording hand 92, for a reason which will beapparent subsequently. In FIG. 7, the hands 86 and 90 and 92 are shownin solid lines in position after the blood pressure has been taken andrecorded by the hands 90 and 92, and the relief valve 30 (FIG. 1) openedso that the pressure indicating hand 86 has returned to the zeroposition with the recording hands 90 and 92 retained in their respectiverecording positions.

In FIG. 8, the recording hands 90 and 92 have been released from theirrecording position (as will be described later) and the pressureindicating hand 86 has been actuated by applying pressure from the bulb28 to the bladder 26 so that the pressure hand 86 swings across the dial84. An indicator moving means comprising an upstanding tab 96 (FIGS.7-10) on the pressure hand 86 engages the two recording hands 90 and 92and swings them clockwise. As the hands swing clockwise to the highpressure portion (300 mm/Hg) of the gauge dial 84, a depending tab 98,also a part of the indicator moving means (FIGS. 810), on the pressureindicating hand 86 engages a stop means in the form of a cam member 100(FIGS. 7, 8 and and thereupon causes the upstanding tab 96 to bedisengaged from the recording hands 90 and 92 so that the pressureindicating hand 86 may pass by the recording hands. Upon passing the cammember 100, the upstanding tab 96 is repositioned for engaging therecording hands 90 and 92 as the pressure indicating hand 86 reversesits direction of movement and proceeds to move counterclockwiseresponsive to the valve 30 (FIG. 1) being opened to relieve the pressurein the bladder 26 in typical manner.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, which is taken looking generallyin the direction of the line 10-10, in either FIGS. 7 or 8, as the hands86, 90 and 92 are moving together in a clockwise direction in FIG. 7 andto the right in FIG. 10, the depending tab 98 on the pressure indicatinghand 86 moves below and across a cam wall 102 ofa cam member 100 whichis secured to the dial 84 of the gauge 34. This cam wall 102 descendsfrom left to right so that the upright tab 96 on the pressure hand 86 iscaused to move downwardly to the position indicated by the phantom linesin FIG. 10, and thus moves below both of the recording hands 90 and 92which now remain in the phantom line positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.As the pressure hand 86 continues to move clockwise (FIG. 7) or to theright in FIG. 10, the depending tab 98 disengages from the lower face ofthe cam wall 102 whereupon the inherent resiliency of the pressureindicating hand 86 causes it to move upwardly to the dashed lineposition in FIG. 7 and at the right of FIG. 10. Now, when the valve 30(FIG. 1) is operated to gradually reduce the pressure in the bladder 26,the pressure hand 86 proceeds to move counterclockwise (FIG. 7), or tothe left as shown in FIG. 10, whereupon the depending tab 98 moves upthe cam wall 102 and the upright tab 96-again engages the recordinghands 90 and 92 to move them in unison with the pressure hand 86.

As the pressure hand 86 continues to move counterclockwise (FIG. 7), thetwo recording hands 90 and 92 are moved with it by means ofthe uprighttab 96. When the heart beat is first detected through the stethoscope 38(FIG. 1), a recording systolic button (FIGS. 1, 7, l2 and 13) is movedinwardly by the thumb, whereupon a braking means in the form of anannular braking member 112 moves upwardly to engage the tip of thesystolic recording hand 90, thus raising this hand upwardly against theforce of the inherent resiliency of the hand, and thereby releases thehand 90 from the upright tab 96 on the pressure hand 86. Thus, thesystolic blood pressure is recorded as the systolic recording hand 90 isretained in position, and the pressure hand 86 continues to move thediastolic recording hand 92 counterclockwise. When the heart beat ceasesto be detected through the stethoscope, a diastolic annular brakingmember 116, which is also part of the braking means, then moves upwardlyand engages the tip of the diastolic recording hand 92 and moves thishand upwardly against the force of its inherent resiliency to dis engagethe diastolic recording hand 92 from the upright tab 96 on the pressurehand 86 which continues to move counterclockwise as the diastolicrecording hand 92 is retained in position to record the diastolic bloodpressure.

As is obvious in FIGS. 7-9 of the drawing, the systolic braking member112 is of a greater radius than the diastolic braking member 116 andboth of these members are concentric with the pivotal axes of the hands.These members are offset circumferentially to conform to reasonableranges of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Both of the brakingmembers 112 and 116 are resiliently urged upwardly as by compressionsprings 118 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The springs 1 18 are each received at theirlower ends in sockets 120 (FIGS. 8 and 9) in the dial 84, and arereceived about depending pins on inwardly extending pads 122 (FIGS. 7, 8and 9) secured to the bottom edge portion of the associated brakingmembers. Each of the braking members 112 and 116 is provided with foursuch pads 122 and associated springs 118 as shown in FIG. 7.Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the braking members are slideablyreceived in notches 126 in upright supports 128 (FIG. 11) suitablysecured to the dial 84.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the recording buttons 110 and 114each are of the same construction and function. With reference to thebutton 114, a shank 130 has a larger portion 132 movable both verticallyand horizontally in an elongated vertical slot 134 formed in a side wallof the gauge body 80. A reduced portion 136 of the shank 130 is seatedin an aperture 138 in the associated diastolic braking member 116, andextends through a clearance slot 140 in the systolic braking member 112.The inner end of the shank 130 has a groove 142 received in a verticalslot 144 in a resilient latch member 146. When the button 114 is movedinwardly, the latch member 146 is deflected inwardly as indicated by thedouble heated arrow 148 (FIG. 12) so that an offset tip 150 of the latchmember 146 is released from the upper edge of the diastolic brakingmember 116, whereupon this member 116 moves upwardly responsive to theforce of its compression springs 118 (FIGS. 8 and 9). As the braking memher 116 moves upwardly, the shank 130 of its actuating button 114 iscaused to swing upwardly. To reset the braking member 116, the button114 is moved downwardly to forct the braking member downwardly and issimultaneously moved outwardly so that the top 150 of the latch member 146 again engages the upper edge of the braking member 116 to hold thebraking member in retracted position, thereby releasing the systolicrecording hand 91).

To summarize the donning procedure and operation of thesphygmommanometer unit, with the unit generally as shown in FIGS. 2 and3, the sleeve 22 is grasped by the right hand and is slipped on to theleft arm. The elastic portion 50 of the sleeve 22 permits expansion ofthe sleeve so that it may be readily positioned and retained as shown inFIG. 1. With the strap 24 reversed around the anchor rod 60, the freeend portion 57 of the strap 24 is now grasped by the right hand as thesleeve is maintained in substantially operative position on the arm bythe resilient force of the elastic portion 50, and the free end portion57 is now pulled until the sleeve 22 is adequately cinched about the armso that it will remain in operative position as pressure is appliedwithin the bladder 26. With the sleeve 20 tightened by the strap 24, theVelcro fasteners 76 on the free end portion 57 of the strap are pressedinto engagement with the elongated Velcro strip 74 secured to the strap,to hold the strap and therefore the sleeve in operative position.

With the stethoscope ear pieces 41) properly positioned in either ear,the valve 30 at the pressure bulb 28 is closed, the pressure bulb ispumped to swing the pressure hand 86 clockwise whereupon the upright tab96 on this hand engages the diastolic recording hand 92 and then thesystolic recording hand 90 (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7) swingsthe recording hands clockwise until the depending tab 98 on the pressureindicating hand 86 rides across the lower surface of the cam wall 102(FIG. 10) to release the two recording hands from the upright tab. Thepressure indicating hand 86 then moves free of the cam wall 102 and itsresilience causes it to move upwardly to the right hand dashed po sitionin FIG. 10.

When the relief valve 30 is slightly opened to release the pressure inthe bladder 26, the pressure hand 86 proceeds to move counterclockwiseand its upright tab 96 engages the two recording hands 90 and 92 so thatthe three hands now move in unison counterclockwise.

When the heart beat is first detected through the stethoscope 38, thesystolic recording button 110 is actuated, whereupon the systolicbraking member 112 moves upwardly to release the systolic recording handfrom the tab 96 and to hold this hand in fixed position for recordingthe systolic blood pressure. Continued movement of the pressure hand 86counterclockwise moves the diastolic recording hand 92 until the heartbeat is no longer heard through the stethoscope 38, whereupon thediastolic recording button 114 is actuated to release the diastolicrecording hand 92 from the tab 96, whereupon this hand remains in fixedposition torecord the diastolic blood pressure. After these pressureshave been noted, the actuating buttons 110 and 114 are moved downwardlyand outwardly to release the associated braking members 112 and 116 fromthe recording hands 90 and 92, and the latches 146 (FIG. 12) againretain braking members in their retracted position. The sphygmomanometerunit is now ready for a subsequent blood pressure determination.

In order to remove the sleeve from the arm, the free end portion 57 ofthe strap 24 is pulled to release the Velcro fastener 72, whereupon thesleeve 22 may be grasped by the right hand and removed from the leftarm.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another embodiment of a resilient, normallygenerally upright tab 160 in lieu of the previously noted upright tab96. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the previously noted reference numerals areprimed (as 96) to indicate the same or similar parts as shown in FIGS.l-13.

The tab 160 is of such resiliency that it will move the recording hands90' and/or 92' and will deflect and pass under the recording hands whenmovement of either or both of the recording hands is stopped as by thebraking members 112 or 116, or by a stop pin 162 in lieu of the cammember in the prior embodiment. The stop in 162 is fixed to and dependsfrom the transparent cover 82 generally at the same location, relativeto the dial 84, as the cam member in FIG. 7.

The tab may be any suitable type of spring member, for example a coilspring, a plate resiliently con nected with the pressure hand 86', orpreferably as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a leaf spring 160. The leafspring 160 has its lower end secured to the pressure hand 86' and itsfree upper end normally positioned above the recording hands 90 and 92'for engaging and moving these hands. Resiliency of the spring isdetermined so that it will move the recording hands responsive tomovement of the pressure hand, as previously described with reference tothe embodiment of FIGS. 7-13. Additionally, the resiliency is such thatthe spring 161) will be deflected by the stopped recording hand or handsand slide thereunder, as shown in FIG. 15, as when the recording handsengage the stop pin 162 and the pressure hand 86 moves past therecording hands. After passing the recording hands, the leaf spring 160returns to an upright position ready to engage and move the recordinghands in a counterclockwise direction responsive to such movement of thepressure hand 86'.

FIGS. 1618 illustrate yet another embodiment of gauge 34' of the presentinvention. As in FIGS. 14 and 15, the previously noted referencenumerals are primed (as 96') to indicate the same or similar parts asshown in FIGS. 1-13. The embodiment of FIGS. 1618 is constructed so thatpressure hand 86' may be stopped to record the diastolic pressure, inlieu of diastolic recroding hand 92. The construction of this embodimentalso employs magnets 362 and 364 in lieu of upright tab 96.

As shown in FIG. 16, stop means generally indicated as 166 is mounted ongauge34'in interrupting position relative to indicator drive means,generally indicated as 168. Stop means 166 includes stop button 170,shank 130, stop tip 172, spring 174 and retainer 176. Stop means 166 ismounted on gauge 34' so that shank 130 passes through an aperture (notshown) in gauge body 80' and is attached to stop button 170. Stop tip172 is attached to the other end of shank 130. Spring 174 surroundsshank 130 and is held in place by retainer 176, which is in turnattached to base plate 178 of indicator drive means 168. By virtue ofthe construction and placement of retainer 176' around spring 174, stopmeans 166 is normally held in the position shown in FIG. 16. By pressingstop button 170 spring 174 is compressed, and stop tip 172 abuts drivegear 180 of indicator drive 168, thereby stopping rotation of gear 180.Gear 180 is mechanically connected to pivot shaft 88' on which thepressure indicator (not shown) is mounted. Thus, actuating stop means166 serves to stop the pressure indicator. Furthermore, stop means 166is constructed so that tip 172 remains in the same position relative togear 180 until button 170 is actuated a second time. When button 170 ispressed a second time, tip 172 returns to the position shown in FIG. 16,and the pressure indicator (not shown) is again free to rotate.

Thus, by virtue of this embodiment diastolic recording hand 92 and itsassociated braking member 116 may be eliminated. It is, of course,obvious that systolic recording hand 90 and its associated brakingmember 112 would be utilized as in the embodiment of FIGS. l-l3, or ofFIGS. 14 and 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, magnet 362 is mounted on pressure hand86' substantially opposite a similarly placed magnet 364 on systolicrecording hand 90'. Of course, if systolic recording hand 90 is formedfrom magnetic-attractivematerial, magnet 364 may be omitted. Whensystolic braking member 112' is retracted, as shown in FIG. 17, magnets362 and 364 will be attracted to each other, thereby causing systolicrecording hand 90' to travel along the same are as pressure hand 86.This common, arcuate movement of systolic recording hand 90 and pressurehand 86 will occur regardless of whether pressure hand 86' is movingclockwise or counterclockwise. Thus, cam member 100 may be omitted fromthis embodiment.

In operation, the embodiment of FIGS. 16-18 works as follows. With thestethoscope ear pieces 40 properly positioned in either ear, valve 30 isclosed, and pressure bulb 28 is pumped. Pressure hand 86 responds byswinging clockwise. Magnets 362 and 364 cause systolic recording hand90' to move along with pressure hand 86'. When valve 30 is slightlyopened to release the pressure in bladder 26, pressure hand 86' beginsto swing counterclockwise, and systolic recording hand 90' follows asabove. Whenthe heart beat is first detected through stethoscope 38,systolic recording button 110 is actuated, whereupon systolic brakingmember I12 moves upwardly to release magnet 364 from magnet 362 and tohold systolic recording hand 90 in fixed position. Pressure hand 86'continues to move counterclockwise until the heart beat is no longerheard through stethoscope 38. At that time, stop means 166 is actuatedby pressing stop button 170, whereupon stop tip 172 engages gear 180 tohold pressure hand 86' in fixed position, recording the diastolic bloodpressure. After these pressures have been noted, actuating button ismoved downwardly and outwardly to release braking members 112' fromsystolic recording hand 90, and stop button is pressed to release stoptip 172 from gear 180. The sphygmomanometer is now ready for subsequentuse.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the above description withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:

l. A sphygmomanometer assembly of the type primarily designed to beself-operating by the user, said assembly comprising: pressure gaugemeans comprising an indicia-bearing dial, indicator means rotatablyconnected to said dial and disposed to sweep over a predeterminedportion of said dial, said indicator means including at least onepressure indicator and at least one recorder indicator, braking meansmovably connected to said dialand disposed to extend outwardly from theface of said dial into path interrupting engagement with said onerecorder indicator, indicator drive means interconnecting said onepressure indicator with a source of fluid pressure, said gauge furthercomprising indicator moving means comprising a positioning means fixedlyconnected to said one pressure indicator for movement therewith, saidpositioning means disposed in interruptive engagement with said onerecorder indicator, said one recorder indicator being rotatablyconnected to said gauge in movable relation to said dial, wherebymovement of said pressure indicator and engagement of said positioningmeans with said one recorder indicator causes movement of said onerecorder indicator along with said pressure indicator.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said braking means comprises atleast one substantially arcuately shaped braking member mounted on saiddial substantially adjacent a predetermined portion of the path oftravel of said one recorder indicator, said one braking memberselectively extendable outwardly from the face of said dial intoengagement with said one recorder indicator, whereby movement of saidone recorder indicator along said path of travel ceases.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said pressure gauge is used incombination with sleeve means, said sleeve means including anon-resilient portion, said non-resilient portion including afluid-actuated bladder connected thereto; retaining means including ananchor fixedly attached to said sleeve, a tie connected to said sleeveand disposed to engage said anchor and securing means formed on said tiefor securing said sleeve on the body of the user; operating means forregulating the flow of fluid to and from said bladder; sound transducermeans including a sound pickup member attached to said sleeve adjacentthe arm of the user and disposed for sensing the heartbeat of the user,said bladder being connected to said one pressure indicator and servingas the fluid source.

4. An assembly as in claim 3 wherein said securing means is a Velcrofastener including an elongated strip, said securing means furthercomprising at least one other strip selectively engageable along saidelongated strip for selectively positioning the free end portion of saidtie in substantially infinitely variable adjusted positions throughoutan adjusting range of said securing means.

5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises aplurality of recorder indicators rotatably mounted on said gaugerelative to said dial about a common axis, said braking means comprisinga plurality of braking members each disposed in interrupting positionrelative to one of said plurality of recorder indicators, actuatingmeans connected to each of said braking members such that each of saidplurality of indicator recorders may be stopped independently of theother.

6. An assembly as in claim 5 wherein said braking means further includeslatch means including biasing means connected to each of said brakingand movably disposed relative to each braking member to extend each ofsaid braking members into engagement with one of said recorderindicators independently of one another, activating means interconnectedto each of said plurality of recorder indicators by said latch means forselectively stopping the movement thereof.

7. An assembly as in claim 5 wherein said plurality of recorderindicators have different longitudinal dimensions, said correspondingbrake means disposed substantially adjacent the outer periphery of saiddial and at varying distances from the axis of rotation of saidindicator means.

8. An assembly as in claim 7 wherein each of said braking membersincludes a substantially arcuate configuration corresponding to at leasta portion of the path of travel of said recorder indicators, saidbraking members disposed substantially concentric to the axis ofrotation of said indicator means.

9. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said positioning means furthercomprises a substantially upstanding portion disposed in interruptingposition relative to said one recorder indicator, and cam means mountedon said gauge in engaging position with said positioning member, saidcam means disposed and configured to displace said positioning memberout of engagement with said one recorder indicator, whereby travel ofsaid recorder indicator with said pressure indicator in a givendirection ceases.

10. An assembly as in claim 9 wherein said cam means is furtherconfigured to re-orient said pressure indicator relative to said onerecorder indicator, said positioning means disposed to engage said onerecorder indicator in said re-oriented position for travedl of said onerecorder indicator along with said pressure indicator in a directionopposite to said given direction.

11. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises asubstantially resilient member outwardly extending from said pressureindicator to engage said one recorder indicator causing it to move alongwith said pressure indicator.

12. An assembly as in claim 11 further comprising blocking means mountedon said gauge in interrupting position relative to the path of travel ofsaid one recorder indicator, said blocking means disposed to stop theforward travel of said one indicator recorder independent of thecontinuous movement of said pressure indicator.

13. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises afirst magnet connected to said pressure indicator and disposed inengaging relation to said recorder indicator, said recorder indicatorcomprising at least in part magnetically attractable material.

14. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises afirst magnet mounted on said pressure recorder and a second magnetmounted on said one recorder indicator in substantially opposed engagingrelation to said first magnet.

15. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said braking means furtherincludes latch means connected to said braking means and actuating meansreleasably interconnected to said latch means for releasing said latchmeans and causing engagement of said braking means with said onerecorder indicator.

16. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising stop means mounted onsaid gauge in interrupting position relative to said indicator drivemeans, whereby said one pressure indicator may be stopped.

17. An assembly as in claim 16 wherein said stop means comprises a stoptip connected to an actuating means, said actuating means includingbiasing means interconnected between said actuating means and said stoptip and disposed to position said stop tip into engagement with saidindicator drive means.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 6PATENT NO. 1 3 9 1 217 DATED August 26, 1975 iNVENT0R(5) 1 Thomas W.Clark It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 13, delete the first occurrence of "the" and inserttherefor -by-,

Column 5, line 9, delete the first occurrence of "blood" and inserttherefor --down.

Signed and Scaled this i i seventeenth Day Of February 1976 [SEAL]Attest:

i RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioneroj'Parents and Trademarks

1. A sphygmomanometer assembly of the type primarily designed to beself-operating by the user, said assembly comprising: pressure gaugemeans comprising an indicia-bearing dial, indicator means rotatablyconnected to said dial and disposed to sweep over a predeterminedportion of said dial, said indicator means including at least onepressure indicator and at least one recorder indicator, braking meansmovably connected to said dial and disposed to extend outwardly from theface of said dial into path interrupting engagement with said onerecorder indicator, indicator drive means interconnecting said onepressure indicator with a source of fluid pressure, said gauge furthercomprising indicator moving means comprising a positioning means fixedlyconnected to said one pressure indicator for movement therewith, saidpositioning means disposed in interruptive engagement with said onerecorder indicator, said one recorder indicator being rotatablyconnected to said gauge in movable relation to said dial, wherebymovement of said pressure indicator and engagement of said positioningmeans with said one recorder indicator causes movement of said onerecorder indicator along with said pressure indicator.
 2. An assembly asin claim 1 wherein said braking means comprises at least onesubstantially arcuately shaped braking member mounted on said dialsubstantially adjacent a predetermined portion of the path of travel ofsaid one recorder indicator, said one braking member selectivelyextendable outwardly from the face of said dial into engagement withsaid one recorder indicator, whereby movement of said one recorderindicator along said path of travel ceases.
 3. An assembly as in claim 1wherein said pressure gauge is used in combination with sleeve means,said sleeve means including a non-resilient portion, said non-resilientportion including a fluid-actuated bladder connected thereto; retainingmeans including an anchor fixedly attached to said sleeve, a tieconnected to said sleeve and disposed to engage said anchor and securingmeans formed on said tie for securing said sleeve on the body of theuser; operating means for reguLating the flow of fluid to and from saidbladder; sound transducer means including a sound pickup member attachedto said sleeve adjacent the arm of the user and disposed for sensing theheartbeat of the user, said bladder being connected to said one pressureindicator and serving as the fluid source.
 4. An assembly as in claim 3wherein said securing means is a Velcro fastener including an elongatedstrip, said securing means further comprising at least one other stripselectively engageable along said elongated strip for selectivelypositioning the free end portion of said tie in substantially infinitelyvariable adjusted positions throughout an adjusting range of saidsecuring means.
 5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said indicatormeans comprises a plurality of recorder indicators rotatably mounted onsaid gauge relative to said dial about a common axis, said braking meanscomprising a plurality of braking members each disposed in interruptingposition relative to one of said plurality of recorder indicators,actuating means connected to each of said braking members such that eachof said plurality of indicator recorders may be stopped independently ofthe other.
 6. An assembly as in claim 5 wherein said braking meansfurther includes latch means including biasing means connected to eachof said braking and movably disposed relative to each braking member toextend each of said braking members into engagement with one of saidrecorder indicators independently of one another, activating meansinterconnected to each of said plurality of recorder indicators by saidlatch means for selectively stopping the movement thereof.
 7. Anassembly as in claim 5 wherein said plurality of recorder indicatorshave different longitudinal dimensions, said corresponding brake meansdisposed substantially adjacent the outer periphery of said dial and atvarying distances from the axis of rotation of said indicator means. 8.An assembly as in claim 7 wherein each of said braking members includesa substantially arcuate configuration corresponding to at least aportion of the path of travel of said recorder indicators, said brakingmembers disposed substantially concentric to the axis of rotation ofsaid indicator means.
 9. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein saidpositioning means further comprises a substantially upstanding portiondisposed in interrupting position relative to said one recorderindicator, and cam means mounted on said gauge in engaging position withsaid positioning member, said cam means disposed and configured todisplace said positioning member out of engagement with said onerecorder indicator, whereby travel of said recorder indicator with saidpressure indicator in a given direction ceases.
 10. An assembly as inclaim 9 wherein said cam means is further configured to re-orient saidpressure indicator relative to said one recorder indicator, saidpositioning means disposed to engage said one recorder indicator in saidre-oriented position for travedl of said one recorder indicator alongwith said pressure indicator in a direction opposite to said givendirection.
 11. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said positioning meanscomprises a substantially resilient member outwardly extending from saidpressure indicator to engage said one recorder indicator causing it tomove along with said pressure indicator.
 12. An assembly as in claim 11further comprising blocking means mounted on said gauge in interruptingposition relative to the path of travel of said one recorder indicator,said blocking means disposed to stop the forward travel of said oneindicator recorder independent of the continuous movement of saidpressure indicator.
 13. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein saidpositioning means comprises a first magnet connected to said pressureindicator and disposed in engaging relation to said recorder indicator,said recorder indicator comprising at least in part magneticallyattractable material.
 14. An assembly as in claIm 1 wherein saidpositioning means comprises a first magnet mounted on said pressurerecorder and a second magnet mounted on said one recorder indicator insubstantially opposed engaging relation to said first magnet.
 15. Anassembly as in claim 1 wherein said braking means further includes latchmeans connected to said braking means and actuating means releasablyinterconnected to said latch means for releasing said latch means andcausing engagement of said braking means with said one recorderindicator.
 16. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising stop meansmounted on said gauge in interrupting position relative to saidindicator drive means, whereby said one pressure indicator may bestopped.
 17. An assembly as in claim 16 wherein said stop meanscomprises a stop tip connected to an actuating means, said actuatingmeans including biasing means interconnected between said actuatingmeans and said stop tip and disposed to position said stop tip intoengagement with said indicator drive means.